Schematic of the auditory pathway showing ascending (A) and descending (B) projections (based on Malmierca, 2003). Projections from the ear and cochlear[plw1] nucleus complex are shown in black; superior olivary complex in blue; nuclei of the lateral lemniscus in green tones; inferior colliculus in orange tones[plw2] , auditory thalamus in purple tones and auditory cortex in red tones. Dotted lines represent known inhibitory projections. Abbreviations[plw3] : CIC: central nucleus of the inferior colliculus; DCIC: dorsal cortex of the inferior colliculus; DCN: dorsal cochlear nucleus; DNLL: dorsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus; ECIC: external cortex of the inferior colliculus; INVN: interstitial nucleus of the vestibulocochlear nerve; LNTB: lateral nucleus of the trapezoid body ; LSO: lateral superior olive; MGD: dorsal subdivision of the medial geniculate body; MGM: medial subdivision of the medial geniculate body; MGV: ventral subdivision of the medial geniculate body; MNTB: medial nucleus of the trapezoid body; MSO: medial superior olive; PIL: posterior intralaminar nucleus; PP: peripendicular nucleus; PRN: pontine reticular nucleus; Rt: reticular thalamic nucleus; SPON: superior paraolivary nucleus;Te1: primary auditory cortex ; Te2: caudal auditory field; Te3: rostroventral auditory field; VCN: ventral cochlear nucleus; VNLL: ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus; VNTB: ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body.